Our Noticias, 12/20/19: Ballpark enhancements and minor league signings

Ballgames and Beer

Baseball and beer go hand-in-hand, but there has never been a formal spot on the promenade level at Marlins Park to kick-back and relax with a drink in your hand if you didn’t feel like sitting in your seat all game. That is all about to change, as the Marlins are teaming-up with Biscayne Bay Brewing Company to create a brand new Brew Hall behind sections 15 and 16 for the 2020 season. While there won’t be great views of the field, there will be a full bar and social seating areas as well large video boards so that you don't miss any of the action. You will even be able to try a signature beer which is being made to celebrate this new partnership.

Adding Depth

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Alongside the more publicized signing of former All-Star and MVP candidate Matt Kemp to a minor league deal this week, Miami signed eight other players to minor league deals with invitations to Spring Training. Only two of the nine have previously played in the majors—catcher Ryan Lavarnway and righty reliever Josh A. Smith—but former second-round pick Gosuke Katoh could be a name to watch. If nothing else, the Marlins have secured some much needed depth to pair with their up-and-coming prospects in the minors.

Moves on Deck

After the acquisition of Jesús Aguilar, Jonathan Villar, Yimi Garcia, Matt Kemp, and those aforementioned minor league signings, the Marlins have managed to get quite a lot of business done already this winter. However, there is still a lot of work to do to try and avoid another last place finish in the NL East next season. Miami’s next move? Finally securing that veteran, everyday outfielder to anchor the lineup and serve as a stopgap before the likes of Monte Harrison and Jesús Sánchez are ready to make their debuts.

Roger Dean Renovations

Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

$108 million worth of renovations have been approved for Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, the home of both Marlins Spring Training and the team’s High-A affiliate. The planned upgrades include a bigger and better team store, enhanced Wi-Fi, new concession stands, and overhauled parking. Palm Beach county has pledged to contribute over $75 million in tax revenue to the project over the next 25 years.

Memorable Plays

Marlins Park is a big ballpark, and still will be after the fences are moved-in before the start of next season. What that has treated us to over the years, though, is some fantastic defensive displays—highlight-reel catches at the wall or in the gap occur almost nightly. But some plays stand above the rest, and the ten best defensive gems of the decade have been compiled into one list to celebrate the end of the 2010s.